Lugano

Cruises & Boat Tours

Let yourself be enchanted by a wonderful panorama as you visit two countries and two lakes during this day trip experience from Como to Lugano, Cadenabbia, and Bellagio. Enjoy informative commentary and a cruise on Lake Como. Take a bus from Como and, after about a 1-hour drive, reach Lugano. Enjoy free time to visit the delightful city center and enjoy a romantic walk on the lake's shore. Transfer by bus to Cadenabbia, a small village on Lake Como’s shore and a popular holiday destination for many aristocrats such as Queen Victoria of England and Zar Nicholas of Russia. From Cadenabbia, board a cruise to reach the Bellagio, also known as the pearl of Lake Como. Spend some free time in this picturesque village. Later, marvel at the amazing landscape from the water as you take another boat ride on the lake. Admire the fascinating villas with their wonderful gardens as you head back to Como.

Your guide will lead you through the city, to Cassarate, up to Monte Bré and back down to the bottom of the mountain. Meet your guide at the Lugano Region tourist office in Piazza Riforma. Start at the city’s heart with a boat ride to the little harbor of Cassarate.  Then, after getting on the funicular, enjoy the splendid views of the city center at your feet as you reach Lugano’s most uncontaminated summit. You will also get the chance to admire the fantastic panoramic view, which, on clear days, stretches all the way to Mount Rosa. Take a stroll and explore the small village of Brè, where life runs at a slow pace, while taking a look at the typical Ticinese houses, the church and the works of art.  Explore Monte Bré at your own pace, soak in the stunning views over Lake Lugano, the city and nearby mountain tops. The return ticket on the funicular, to get back down to Cassarate is included in your tour, from there you can arrange your individual return to Lugano.

Start the day with a comfortable bus trip from Milan taking you directly to Lugano. Explore the historic center on a guided walking tur and see the famous Via Nassa with its luxury shop windows. Continue by bus along the panoramic road that runs along Lake Lugano to Tremezzo on Lake Como. There hop on a private boat that will transfer you directly to Bellagio where you can enjoy some free time for lunch and exploration of its elegant streets. Then set sail on a relaxing cruise on the lake. Surrounded by great landscapes, admire beautiful villas and gardens such as Villa Melzi d'Eril, Villa del Balbianello, and Villa Carlotta. Relax on the scenic drive along Lake Como that takes you back to Milan by bus before dinner time.

After meeting your guide at your hotel, you’ll start the day with a walk through the historic centre of Lugano. Here, you’ll see the new conference centre, stroll through Lugano’s main shopping district, and see locals enjoying themselves in the many outdoor restaurants. A highlight will be going inside of the 15th-century church which is simply called "the church". Inside, you’ll see impressive mural paintings made by the Italian artist Bernardino Luini, one of Leonardo da Vinci’s disciples.   You’ll then take a bus to the start of the Gandria Olive Trail footpath where you’ll enjoy a leisurely one-hour walk on the paved historic “Olive Trail” along the lakeside. You’ll eventually reach the romantic village of Gandria, which is nestled along the banks of Lake Lugano.   Afterwards, you’ll board a public boat and cruise to your lunch stop at one of Lugano’s most scenic areas, where you’ll experience an outdoor grotto lunch of risotto. Local Ticino white or red wine will be served so you can focus on your lunch, and al the while, you’ll be overlooking beautiful Lake Lugano with its surrounding mountains and villages. Your stand-by chefs will help you with your risotto to make sure you enjoy an excellent tasting grotto lunch. Following your lunch experience, your boat will return you to the city.

A visit to Lugano may not be defined as such if you don't include Gandria, a romantic and picturesque place. In this magic and incredibly charming location, take a dive into the past and discover how people used to live once upon a time. In the company of a guide, walk to Gandria and while you leisurely stroll up and down the village streets, a boat will be waiting for you to bring you back to Lugano. Gandria is a romantic locality nestled on the shores of Lake Ceresio that may be reached either by land or by the lake. The town’s center is closed to traffic and is an oasis of peace with its picturesque tiny streets and stairs that offer glimpses of great views and gorgeous landscapes. At the center of the town see the 16th-century church of San Vigilio with its outstanding baroque interior and the high late-medieval belfry. On the lake opposite Gandria, discover the Museum of Swiss Customs. Along the trail from Cantine di Gandria to Caprino, there are several grotti, an ideal place to take shelter from the heat and to have the opportunity of getting a taste of the typical Ticinese cuisine (costs not included).

Thanks to its characteristic narrow streets, the arcades of the old patrician houses, valuable architectural monuments and lush subtropical vegetation, Morcote is considered the "Pearl of the Ceresio". After having lost yourself in this little corner of paradise, the boat will be waiting for you to return to Lugano.

Leave the hustle and bustle of Milan behind you on a journey to Lake Como and Lake Lugano. Sit back and relax on a tranquil boat cruise, explore charming lakeside villages with your licensed guide, and make your way into Switzerland all in one day. After your picturesque bus ride from Milan, hop on a bus and make your way to Varenna, a small fishing village. Varenna is located on the eastern side of Lake Como and from its shores you can clearly admire the cape of Bellagio — one of the most beautiful towns on the lake. In Varenna, follow your guide on a stroll to discover and experience all this town has to offer. Marvel at the famous red fenced promenade, the Walk of Lovers, with its steep alleys and charming corners; the mountain views; and the colorful village houses. Get onboard a boat for a 15-minute ride to Bellagio. Here, take the time to explore and walk through the town at your own pace with recommendations from your guide about local restaurants and shops. Next, go on a panoramic private boat tour to the center of Lake Como. Admire the blue waters of the lake surrounded by traditional villas, such as Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello; colorful lake towns; and surrounding mountains. Then, dock at Tremezzo, where your bus would be waiting for you to take you to Lugano in neighboring Switzerland. Relax and enjoy the scenic ride while gazing at the alpine mountain ranges from your bus. In less than an hour, you're in Switzerland, where you will be able to admire the second lake of the day. Discover the beauty of Lake Lugano and its elegance and cleanliness with its picturesque views. Indulge in some famous Swiss chocolates and enjoy some shopping before heading back to Milan.